4-11-040 DEFINITIONS D:

A. DANCE CLUB: Any facility, restricted to adults over twenty one (21) years of age, at which dancing occurs, as a primary form of entertainment. This definition excludes adult entertainment businesses, entertainment clubs, and gaming/gambling facilities, dance halls and other establishments conducting public dances as defined in RMC 5-13-1.

B. DANCE HALL: Any place where a public dance, as defined in RMC 5-13-1, is conducted without restriction on age, or restricted to minors only. Dance halls are further regulated under RMC Title 5 and require a license to operate. This definition excludes adult entertainment businesses, dance clubs, entertainment clubs, and gaming/gambling facilities.

C. DANGEROUS BUILDING: As defined by the “Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings.”

D. DATA CENTER: A facility used primarily for off-site storage of computer systems and associated components including applications and secure data. Some data centers may include maintenance areas and a small office. Data centers may be occupied by single or multiple tenants, but typically have a small number of employees and visitors. See RMC 4-11-230, WAREHOUSING.

E. DAY CARE CENTER: A day care operation licensed by the State of Washington (WAC 388-73-014), for thirteen (13) or more children in any twenty four (24) hour period, or any number of children in a nonresidential structure. This definition does not include adult day care/health.

F. DAY CARE, FAMILY, HOME: A day care operation licensed by the State of Washington (WAC 388-73-014), caring for twelve (12) or fewer children in any twenty four (24) hour period within the caregiver’s place of residence.

G. DAYLIGHTING: Restoration of a culverted or buried watercourse to a surface watercourse.

H. DEDICATION: A deliberate appropriation of land by its owner for any general and public uses, reserving to himself/herself no other rights than such as are compatible with the full exercises and enjoyment of the public uses to which the property has been devoted.

I. DEED OF DEDICATION: A formal dedication of right-of-way or easement to the City, to be approved by City Council, the Hearing Examiner, the Public Works Administrator or designee, or the Community and Economic Development Administrator or designee.

J. DEMOLITION WASTE: Solid waste resulting from the demolition or razing of buildings, roads and other human-made structures. Demolition waste includes, but is not limited to, concrete, brick, bituminous concrete, wood and masonry, composition roofing and roofing paper, steel, and minor amounts of other metals like copper.

K. DENSITY, GROSS: A measure of population, housing units, or building area related to land area, and expressed as a ratio, i.e., one dwelling unit per acre, or one thousand (1,000) people per square mile.

L. DENSITY, NET: A calculation of the number of housing units and/or lots that would be allowed on a property after critical areas, i.e., very high landslide hazard areas, protected slopes (except evaluate on a case-by-case basis those protected slopes created by previous development), wetlands, Class 1 to 4 streams and lakes, or floodways, and public rights-of-way and legally recorded private access easements, are subtracted from the gross area (gross acres minus streets and critical areas multiplied by allowable housing units per acre). Developments meeting the definition of a shopping center are not required to deduct areas within access easements from the gross site area for the purpose of calculating net density. Required critical area buffers, streams that have been daylighted including restored riparian and aquatic areas, public and private alleys, unit lot drives, drives, joint use driveways (and the access easements upon them), and trails shall not be subtracted from gross acres for the purpose of net density calculations. All fractions which result from net density calculations shall be truncated at two (2) numbers past the decimal (e.g., 4.5678 becomes 4.56). Calculations for minimum or maximum density which result in a fraction that is one-half (0.50) or greater shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number. Those density calculations resulting in a fraction that is less than one-half (0.50) shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number.

M. DEPARTMENT: The Department of Community and Economic Development of the City of Renton, unless otherwise specified.

N. DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATOR: See ADMINISTRATOR.

O. DESIGNATED ZONE FACILITY: Any hazardous waste treatment and storage facility that requires an interim or final status permit under rules adopted under chapter 70.105 RCW and that is not a “preempted facility” as defined in RCW 70.105.010.

P. DETENTION/RETENTION FACILITIES: Facilities designed either to hold runoff for a short period of time and then release it to the point of discharge at a controlled rate or to hold water for a considerable length of time during which the volume is reduced through evaporation, evapotranspiration by plants, or infiltration into the ground.

Q. DETERMINATION OF NONSIGNIFICANCE (DNS): The written decision by the responsible official of the lead agency that a proposal is not likely to have a significant adverse environmental impact, and therefore an EIS is not required (WAC 197-11-310 and 197-11-340). The DNS form is in WAC 197-11-970.

R. DETERMINATION OF NONSIGNIFICANCE, MITIGATED (MDNS): A DNS that includes mitigation measures and is issued as a result of the process specified in WAC 197-11-350.

S. DETERMINATION OF SIGNIFICANCE (DS): The written decision by the responsible official of the lead agency that a proposal is likely to have a significant adverse environmental impact, and therefore an EIS is required (WAC 197-11-310 and 197-11-360). The DS form is in WAC 197-11-980 and must be used substantially in that form.

T. DEVELOPABLE AREA: Land area outside of critical areas, critical area and shoreline buffers, and public rights-of-way that is otherwise developable.

U. DEVELOPMENT: The division of a parcel of land into two (2) or more parcels; the construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration, relocation or enlargement of any structure; any mining, excavation, landfill or land disturbance and any use or extension of the use of land.

V. DEVELOPMENT: (This definition for RMC 4-3-050, Critical Areas Regulations, use only.) Any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials located within the area of special flood hazard.

W. DEVELOPMENT: (This definition for RMC 4-3-090, Shoreline Master Program Regulations, use only.) A use consisting of the construction or exterior alteration of structures; dredging; drilling; dumping; filling; removal of any sand, gravel or minerals; bulkheading; driving of piling; placing of obstructions; or any other projects of a permanent or temporary nature which interferes with the normal public use of the surface of the waters overlying lands subject to the Act at any state of water level. This does not include dismantling or removing structures if there is no other associated development or redevelopment.

X. DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT: A recorded contract entered into by the city and an applicant setting forth development standards and other provisions governing and vesting a development or use for a duration of time specified in the contract. May be used to obligate an applicant to fund or provide services, infrastructure, or other facilities.

Y. DEVELOPMENT PERMIT: Written permission after appropriate review for type of application from the appropriate decision-maker authorizing the division of a parcel of land, the construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration, relocation or enlargement of any structure, utility, or any use or extension of the use of the land.

Z. DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS (for vesting purposes): The following controls placed on development or land use activities by the City, including but not limited to: Comprehensive Plan Policies, zoning regulations, subdivision regulations, shoreline management regulations, road design standards, site development regulations, sign regulations, critical areas regulations, and all regulations and land use controls that must be satisfied as a prerequisite to obtaining approval of an application for development. For the purposes of this definition, construction and utility regulations such as stormwater standards and erosion/sediment control requirements contained in RMC Title IV, Development Regulations, building standards, fire standards, sewer utility standards, and Health Department standards are not considered development regulations or land use controls. RMC Title IV processes and procedures are not considered development regulations or land use controls.

AA. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR: The Director of the Development Services Division of the Department of Community and Economic Development or designee.

BB. DISPLAY SURFACE: The area made available by the sign structure for the purpose of displaying the advertising message.

CC. DISPLAY WINDOW: A window in a building facade intended for nonpermanent display of goods and merchandise.

DD. DIVERSION FACILITY: A facility that provides inpatient healthcare for individuals that are self-admitted or ordered, diverted, or referred from jails, hospitals, doctors or similar treatment facilities or professionals, or by first responders, including law enforcement, hospital emergency department social workers, and similar professionals. Services may include an array of inpatient healthcare treatment and support services including but not limited to screening and assessment, psychological counseling, case management, crisis management, detox services, substance use and trauma-related treatment services, behavioral/mental health care, medical isolation, care, or treatment, counseling, respite services, and various levels of accommodations for sleeping purposes. Some outpatient healthcare services may be provided. Not included in this definition are congregate residences, assisted living facilities, adult family homes, group homes, convalescent centers, social service organizations, or homeless services uses.

EE. DOCK: A fixed or floating platform extending from the shore over the water.

FF. DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY: See RMC 4-6-100.

GG. DOUBLE-WALLED: See RMC 4-5-120G.

HH. DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT: Those uses, buildings, and walkways within the area mapped in RMC 4-2-080D. In general, the area is bounded at the north by parcel lines near South Second Street, at the east by the Cedar River and I-405, at the south by parcel lines near South Fourth Street and parcel lines along South Third Street, and at the west by parcels along Burnett Avenue South and Shattuck Avenue South.

II. DRAINAGE AREA: The total area whose drainage water flows to and across the subject property.

JJ. DREDGING: The removal of earth from the bottom or banks of a body of water.

KK. DRIP LINE: A tree’s drip line shall be described by a line projected to the ground from the outer edge of the tree canopy delineating the outermost extent of foliage in all directions.

LL. DRIP LINE, PROTECTED: A tree drip line identified to be retained and preserved as an undisturbed, vegetated area that fully encompasses the drip line of a protected tree removed in violation of a land development permit.

MM. DRIVE-IN/DRIVE-THROUGH RETAIL OR SERVICE: A business or a portion of a business where a customer is permitted or encouraged, either by the design of physical facilities or by service and/or packaging procedures, to carry on business in the off-street parking or paved area accessory to the business, while seated in a motor vehicle. In some instances, customers may need to get out of the vehicle to obtain the product or service. This definition shall include but not be limited to drive-in/drive-through services at eating and drinking establishments, fast-food restaurants, coffee stands, and banks and pharmacies. This definition excludes vehicle service and repair, vehicle fueling stations, and car washes.

NN. DROP-OFF ZONE: A sidewalk area abutting a street intended for passengers to enter or exit vehicles that are temporarily parked for that purpose.

OO. DWELLING, ATTACHED: A dwelling unit connected to one or more dwellings by common roofs, walls, or floors or a dwelling unit or units attached to garages or other nonresidential uses. This definition includes all buildings or portions of buildings meeting this definition, but excludes boarding and lodging houses, accessory dwelling units, adult family homes, group home I or group home II as defined herein. Attached dwellings include the following types:

1. Flat: A dwelling unit attached to one or multiple dwelling units by one or more common roof(s), wall(s), or floor(s) within a building. Typically, the unit’s habitable area is provided on a single level. Unit entrances are provided from a common internal corridor.

2. Townhouse: A dwelling unit attached to one or more such units by one or more common vertical walls in which each unit occupies the building from the bottom of the foundation to the roof, has at least two (2) exterior faces, front and rear ground-level access to the outside, and no unit is located over another unit. Townhouse units may be multistory.

3. Carriage House: One or more dwelling units built above one or more private garage(s). The attached garage(s) typically contains vehicles and/or storage for people living in another building as well as occupants of the carriage house. This definition does not include accessory dwelling units.

4. Garden Style Apartment(s): A dwelling unit that is one of several stacked vertically, with exterior stairways and/or exterior corridors and surface parking. Parking is not structured and may include detached carports or garages. Buildings and building entries are oriented toward internal drive aisles and/or parking lots and not street frontage. There is typically no formal building entry area connected to a public sidewalk and a public street. Site planning may incorporate structures developed at low landscaped setbacks.

PP. DWELLING, DETACHED: A building containing one dwelling unit which is not attached to any other dwelling by any means except fences, has a permanent foundation, and is surrounded by open space or yards. Also called a single family dwelling. This definition does not include accessory dwelling units.

QQ. DWELLING UNIT: A structure or portion of a structure designed, occupied or intended for occupancy as a single unit providing complete, independent living facilities with separated living quarters, a kitchen, sleeping, and sanitary facilities provided for the exclusive use of a single household. For the purposes of this definition, “sanitary facilities” shall include a sink, a toilet, and a shower or bathtub.

RR. DWELLING UNIT, ACCESSORY: An independent subordinate dwelling unit that is located on the same lot as, but not within, either a single-family dwelling or a principal building actively operated with a nonresidential use by a religious institution or social service organization. This may include units over detached garages.

(Ord. 2520, 11-17-1969; Ord. 2698, 3-6-1972; Ord. 3891, 2-25-1985; Ord. 4346, 3-9-1992; Ord. 4351, 5-4-1992; Ord. 4367, 9-14-1992; Ord. 4466, 8-22-1994; Ord. 4521, 6-5-1995; Ord. 4522, 6-5-1995; Ord. 4637, 9-14-1992; Ord. 4671, 7-21-1997; Ord. 4716, 4-13-1998; Ord. 4773, 3-22-1999; Ord. 4835, 3-27-2000; Ord. 4851, 8-7-2000; Amd. Ord. 4963, 5-13-2002; Ord. 4999, 1-13-2003; Ord. 5100, 11-1-2004; Ord. 5124, 2-7-2005; Ord. 5137, 4-25-2005; Ord. 5192, 1-23-2006; Ord. 5286, 5-14-2007; Ord. 5387, 6-9-2008; Ord. 5392, 6-23-2008; Ord. 5473, 7-13-2009; Ord. 5474, 7-13-2009; Ord. 5520, 12-14-2009; Ord. 5577, 11-15-2010; Ord. 5607, 6-6-2011; Ord. 5648, 12-12-2011; Ord. 5650, 12-12-2011; Ord. 5675, 12-3-2012; Ord. 5676, 12-3-2012; Ord. 5749, 1-12-2015; Ord. 5757, 6-1-2015; Ord. 5804, 5-23-2016; Ord. 5818, 10-17-2016; Ord. 5867, 12-11-2017; Ord. 5899, 11-19-2018; Ord. 5958, 12-9-2019; Ord. 5976, 8-3-2020; Ord. 5996, 12-14-2020; Ord. 6000, 12-14-2020; Ord. 6019, 6-14-2021; Ord. 6026, 9-20-2021; Ord. 6046, 12-13-2021; Ord. 6068, 6-13-2022; Ord. 6076, 8-8-2022; Ord. 6100, 12-5-2022; Ord. 6102, 12-12-2022; Ord. 6127, 12-11-2023; Ord. 6128, 12-11-2023)